How do you get an Alzheimer's loved one to eat?

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How do you get an Alzheimer's loved one to eat?

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If my sister is by herself she will have a coffee & a " cigarette "not good! !I My home Yes! My sister lives alone -- If she is visiting me she eats if I Put it in front of her.
Her coordination is terrible-- one thing I have learned Do not give an Alzheimer patient a clear or white cup-- they can't see it they tend to spill their glass of water.
My son worked with Alzeimer patients & could not wear a white shirt -- they only see your head .It to them looks like the head is floatingif your wearing white ! I never knew that ! So now when she visits I give her a green cup. to drink milk, water, tea, or coffee.If I give her a plate of food she puts it to the right of the placemat.Cutting her food is a challange for her.She should be in a home -- but no one is telling her to move!! Great!! :( I do have POA over her well being .I have a meeting with the socisl worker & physical theripist this fri.See what can be done??

Alzheimer's & Dementia

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Thanks for all the great answeres.:) When my sister is at my place she has to smoke outside & at her place quote " no one is telling me when I can & can't smoke" Unfortunately she lives half an hour away & it is a good thing she has great neighbours.I have a meeting this fri with the social worker & physical therapist to see what help they can get for my sister. You have to keep in mind that Alzheimer patients do not get better & they go through different stages.You have to keep in mind that they live in the past & also what ever comes to mind-- They live in the moment .There will come a time where I will have to have her placed for her own safety.You have to stay strong for them & you can't take a guilt trip over it -- thy can't help what goes on in their mind.It must be scary for them knowing that they get confused .Thanks & will keep everyone posted .

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First of all, I would NOT let her smoke in my house because she's going to burn the place down. Get rid of the cigarettes--NOW. I wonder if that will stimulate her appetite. I agree it sounds like she needs to be in a nursing home.

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Very interesting about the white. That is also a reason why an alzheimer loved one doesn't like to take showers due to not being able to see the water. marymember

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You may want to give her a nicotine patch but GET RID OF THE CIGARETTES. Now. She's going to burn your house down.

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My husband has vascular dementia and while he eats, his coordination and eating habits are not the best. I found some nice large plastic mugs with screw top lids and a plastic straw. No more spills. They also are colorful and have handles and can be moved easily. I also found him some pretty adult bibs - much easier to wash than clothes. I don't think he would eat if he had to fix something himself. Maybe the issue of not eating is more an issue of not being able to fix something herself?

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Does she have someone coming in? Check with the local area agency on aging, they have programs that if she qualifies, would send a provider into her home for a couple of hours per week. Maybe the provider could come in close to meal time so she can get a meal ready. She may qualify for home delivered meals, the AAA can give you info on that program as well. If my experience, what every you can get an Alzheimer's person to eat, let them eat it My grandma ate nothing but mashed potatoes and gravy form KFC for a month. You can make 'shakes' using ice cream, yogurt, fruit, peanut or other nut butter, use your imagination.

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Hi all Caregivers. My Mum is 86 years and has Alzheimer's. My Mothers appetite improved considerably when I bought red plates also cups & saucers.
I had not been aware though that AZ sufferers cannot see water, thank You Marymember for that information. This explains why I have been finding it impossible to get Mom to take a shower. As for smoking in Your home, it has to be a definite NO. Put up signs everywhere : thank You for NOT smoking : Id much rather die from natural causes.

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Kittysharone, my mom swears she takes sponge baths. Her habit when she had a home with my stepdad was to take a shower on Thursday and go to the beauty shop on Friday. She dresses nice every day and gets her hair done every Friday in the retirement home. I have offered to help her into the tub and out, but she says no. So far, no body odors to alert me that she isn't bathing adaquitly. I'm sure the day will come when I have to get more involved.

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Dementia patients fear bathing for many reasons. The loud echos in a bathroom. Fear of falling. Not wanting to be cold. Not wanting to be naked in front of a family member.

What you can do is educate yourself on the stages of dementia and some safe bathing options. This site has tons. Some people need a full shower if there has been a bladder/bowel accident. Others can do with half washes each day. One day is the top, the next day is the bottom. Sometimes it's sponge baths. Get the doctor to order home health services for bathing help. Don't totally undress the person and leave them uncovered. Only uncover what you are washing. Use warm towels to keep covered in the shower. Make sure the room is super extra warm. Search this site for the words shower help.

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Help for eating depends on what stage the person is in.

The mechanics of loading a fork and getting it to your mouth is difficult with cognitive decline. At some point there will be trouble coordinating the muscles used to chew and swallow. Early on, taste buds change radically, so old favorite foods aren't so good anymore.

Vision changes make it hard to aim and hit your mouth. Brain changes can shift focus and perspective, making it really easy to miss the plate.

An occupational therapist can do an eating evaluation to figure out what to do & how. Solving the wrong problem won't help.

How do you get an Alzheimer's loved one to eat?

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